We are deeply indebted to "loyal reader" Linda Hedrick for the following Guest Editorial....
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I have a theory that book collectors, accumulators, and readers are all closet writers. At least I admit it in my case, so naturally I own books on how to write. I must confess that in desperation I try weird things that I haven’t found in a book. The other day I was at a Starbucks and saw little packages of madeleines, so thinking how greatly they inspired Proust I bought one. They were tasty but did nothing for my writing. Perhaps it’s because I lack a French childhood, but I don’t think it’s the fact that I didn’t grow up eating madeleines because Oreos don’t work either. A. J. Liebling in an essay written decades ago mused that if Proust could write In Search of Lost Time (aka Remembrance of Things Past) after eating a madeleine, just think what he could’ve written after a repast of a dozen Gardiner’s Island oysters, a bowl of clam chowder, a peck of steamers, some bay scallops, three sautéed soft-shelled crabs, a few ears of fresh picked corn, a thin swordfish steak of generous area, a pair of lobsters, and a Long Island duck!
Since I read a lot of books on writing, I find I have a nice little collection to that end.
One of my favorites is Ann Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. The best thing about this book, IMHO, besides the humor is her emphasis on the rewards of writing itself rather than of publication. Although it’s not strong on the craft of writing, nor is it meant to be, I find it great for motivation.
William Zinsser’s On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction is a valuable reference. He advocates a strong, clear style without a lot of clutter. Although the title states it’s about writing nonfiction, I think his advice is valuable for all types of writing.
John Gardner, who was not only a novelist but also a university professor of fiction writing, wrote two books on writing: The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers and On Becoming a Novelist. They are considered classics, although he was often considered controversial in his criticisms of his well-known contemporaries. (Gore Vidal wrote vehemently against him.) Both were among the first books on writing I purchased.
My nomination for one of the greatest stories on the planet is Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. So I was a bit disappointed in Ernest Hemingway on Writing, edited by Larry W. Phillips. I don’t know if it was all the blank pages and spaces in the book, or the fact that it consists of little pieces of Hemingway on writing from books, letters, interviews, and speeches, assembled to make a book. Having said that, Hemingway is always a distinct pleasure to read, even in snippets.
Famous science fiction writer Ray Bradbury wrote Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You. An odd title for a book by him, he has admitted using “Zen” in his title as a hook – this book was first published in 1989 when “Zen” had mass appeal, if little understanding. Basically a collection of essays, I find this to be a really good read. (Aside: read his The Halloween Tree if you haven’t yet. Awesome children’s book!)
Annie Dillard wrote a book sharing her insights into the writing process, The Writing Life. Although not a guide, I found recognition and reassurance in reading about her perceptions and experiences as a writer.
Seven of Eudora Welty’s essays on fiction have been published in a book called On Writing. Again, not a how-to, these essays are in a literary criticism vein, and offer some significant thoughts to ponder about writing and writers.
E.M. Forster wrote Aspects of the Novel in 1927, which is a collection of lectures he gave at Cambridge University. They contain some wonderful observations on novels, comprising a survey of the form. It’s a very engaging read.
Some other published authors who’ve written on the writing process include Gertrude Stein. How to Write I find a strange book. Disjointed, parts poorly written, I think I must read it again to see if I missed something. On Writing by Stephen King is part autobiography, part writing guide. His advice is more intuitive and he shares specifics of his writing process. And to my delight he stresses that a writer must read a lot.
The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club, an eponymous recent publication, is one of my latest purchases. A collection of letters written to students in a writing course at the National College of Ireland, as well as contributions from editors, publishers, and other authors, this book is evidence of her warmth and folksy, commonsensical approach to her craft. I particularly liked a comment in the section on editors, when she took offense at advice on changing a character. “…if she knew so much about books, why didn’t she write her own?” A common thought among writers, I’m sure.
Of course, it is de rigueur to have a copy of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style on your desk. Even if you usually reference style topics online, like myself, it screams “serious writer” should someone visit your desk.
In the meantime, for my own writing I really need to talk Jeff Bezos into loaning me the Amazon.com software, so I can download it into my brain. Then when I have a good thought, my brain will spit out: If you like that idea, you may like... or Others who’ve had that idea also....
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